Guests ignoring your B&B house rules?
Here’s how to keep things kind, clear, and under control.

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Running a bed and breakfast is a bit like hosting a dinner party… every single night. You set the mood, prepare the space, whip up something delightful—and then someone shows up wearing muddy boots and plops themselves on your cream sofa. Why? Because they didn’t read the house rules. Or worse—they read them and ignored them. So what’s a kind but professional host to do?

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Stick with me, and I’ll share how to handle rule-breaking guests without losing your mind… or your 5-star rating.

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The Rule of (Unwritten) Rules

We’ve all been there. The guest who “didn’t realise” pets weren’t allowed. Or who “didn’t notice” the sign asking them not to use the guest kitchen at midnight. One B&B owner I spoke to even had a guest host a birthday party in the lounge—surprise balloons and all. 🎈

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But here’s a quick question for you:
When’s the last time you read the fine print of your own Airbnb stay?
Exactly. Guests skim. Or don’t read at all. So if they don’t know the rules, they’re not necessarily ignoring you—they might genuinely be clueless.

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🎧 Listen to more real-life tales on the Bed, Breakfast & Business podcast:
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Your Rules Need a Glow-Up

If your house rules are buried in paragraph 17 of your confirmation email, you’re basically whispering into a hurricane.

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Here’s your usability tip:
📌 Repackage your rules as friendly reminders in multiple places:

• A fridge magnet or a chalkboard in the kitchen

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• Laminated card on the bedside table

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• A welcome video (yes, it works!) on your booking page

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• A morning welcome note with coffee

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Make them short, clear, and human. Not: “It is strictly prohibited to bring outside food.”
Instead try: “Got takeout? No worries! Just enjoy it in the dining room, not in bed. We promise your mattress will thank you.”

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Use the Sandwich Method (No, Not That Kind)

When you do need to confront a rule-breaker, use the ol’ sandwich method:
✅ Positive

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🚫 Problem

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✅ Positive

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For example:

“We’re so glad you’re enjoying your stay and using the lounge space! Just a heads-up—we have a quiet time policy after 10 p.m. to make sure everyone gets a good night’s sleep. If you need anything else tonight, just knock.”

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Works 9 times out of 10.

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Upgrade Your Booking Confirmation

Here’s the teaser I promised earlier. This is the #1 tip most B&Bs skip:

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📌 Include a short “Top 5 Things to Know Before You Arrive” list in your booking confirmation.
Why? Because that’s the one message guests are guaranteed to open (especially if it has check-in details or codes). So sneak the most important house rules in there too—nicely, of course.

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Examples:

• Quiet hours: 10 p.m. — 7 a.m.

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• No food in rooms (we’ve got a gorgeous dining space!)

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• Please don’t flush anything dodgy—we like our plumbing.

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From Annoyed to Accountable

In the Mastering B&B Management course, we talk about how to shift from frustration to systems. If you find yourself fuming about guests breaking rules, it’s not a guest problem—it’s a system problem.

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Ask:

• Were the rules clear?

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• Were they visible?

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• Were they phrased kindly, not bossily?

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🎥 Prefer videos? Check out our Beds, Breakfast & Business YouTube Channel for weekly walkthroughs:
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Let Guests Know What Happens If…

You don’t need to turn your B&B into a boot camp, but having gentle consequences listed in your guest book (or email) is smart.

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For example:
“If smoking occurs in the room, a cleaning fee of £150 will be applied. We know accidents happen, so just let us know if something goes wrong.”

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Transparent. Non-threatening. Clear.

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Running a B&B? It’s not just tea and toast.
It’s plungers, pastries… and planning.

Download “Your B&B Starter Blueprint” and start with your eyes wide open.

You can find a link in the show notes.

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Have you had to confront a guest about a rule before? What did you say?

Let me know in the comments.

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Here Are Your Key Takeaways

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In Conclusion

Having house rules isn’t about being strict—it’s about protecting the experience. Yours and theirs. When rules are communicated with warmth and clarity, guests feel cared for, not policed. And you? You sleep better knowing your cushions aren’t covered in late-night pizza grease.

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If you liked this episode, you also might like “How Can B&B Owners Turn Every Guest Interaction Into a Memorable Experience” episode 33.

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For deeper support, join “Build Your B&B: From Dream to Doors Open” course. Get the tools, templates, and support you need.

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Don’t forget to subscribe and ring that bell and if you like the information we are producing, feel free to buy us a coffee.